If Super Bowl XLVII taught us anything, it is that you can always count on Jimmy Smith on the goal line.
Smith made the defensive play of the day Wednesday when he pulled tight end Nick Boyle just off the goal line in a “live” drill near the end of practice.
Boyle took the pass on the 1-yard line and looked ready to cruise into the end zone, but Smith came quickly, scratching over the line of scrimmage. His hit put out a raw defensive celebration and punctured a good day for the general.
“Got off to Jimmy, he had a good play,” Boyle said. “I lowered my guard a bit when I grabbed that, I thought I was wide open. I need to have a better sense of urgency there – pick it up, grab it and get in the end zone. I think he was dragged. “
It surprised Boyle that Smith closed so quickly, but that could be the new normal for the veteran cornerback. Head coach John Harbaugh revealed after practice that Smith dropped 10-12 pounds this offseason while keeping his muscles.
“Jimmy is legit,” Harbaugh said. “He’s a really big, fat boy in his low 220s. He’s maybe 207 now, 208, somewhere. I really think it helped him. I think he looks fast and fast, he looks really good out. Jimmy has a really good camp. “
